New Coastal road gets under way
Twelve months after violent storms ravaged the popular coastal road, known as the Slapton Line, work has finally begun on a new replacement A379 carriageway. The new road will replace the temporary single-track carriageway which was hurriedly constructed in April of last year.
A motorist waits patiently for the red lights to change; this is the scene that motorists have got used to seeing over the last year.

The one-way system, with lights, proved to cope adequately during a summer season depleted of many visitors due to the restrictions which were imposed because of foot and mouth cases north of the South Hams

Construction is expected to take about five weeks and the road will be set 21 meters inland from the existing road, taking it through part of Slapton's higher Ley. 

This picture shows how the road has  moved westerly by stages.

The original road, to the right of the picture, took a more leisurely curve around the Start Bay coastline.

When finished, the new road - centre of picture, will have a serious kink in it but at least will have a double carriageway.
The road is expected to last at least five years which will allow time for the investigation of a more permanent long-term solution.
Another victim of the storms was the monument, presented to the people of the surrounding villages evacuated to allow use of Slapton Sands for practice D-day landings.

The monument is to be relocated very slightly south of its original position; nearer the car park which is situated in the middle of Slapton Sands but will still be visible to passing motorists.